El Topo (1970)

Alejandro Jodorowsky provides an all you can consume buffet of imagery for your emotional palette. The music encompasses the imagery perfectly. This seems like some sort of strange prequel to The Holy Mountain, which I think now will make a lot more sense. Language, though lightly used, seems to be unnecessary in these strange works of humanly universal art. Jodorowsky's tales are very confusing in parts, but regardless, he is truly an original master of cinema.

6.8/10

VERDICT: ADD ALL JODOROWSKY FILMS TO YOUR COLLECTION!

Spring Breakers (2012)

Harmony Korine films are like the secret show in the backroom that I have to pay to see even though I know it will be a waste of time. If the screenplay and plot were humans they would be diseased with muscular dystrophy, weak and slow moving; which is the trend in most Harmony Korine films. There is quite a bit of repeated dialogue to fill the silence of the over used montage scenes which are there to try and accommodate for the poor screenplay. This movie WAS directed beautifully, some great visually appealing shots, and no I don't just mean all the ass and titties. I enjoyed the dark neon vibrant scenes. I'd love to see Harmony direct a movie with a brilliant plot and screenplay for a change... But I will still watch every movie he makes.. It's a curse. The best thing I watched on this Blu-ray is the VICE special featurette on the ATL Twins. I had never heard of them before this, but they seem like a couple cool dudes.

4/10

VERDICT: SKIP IT

Cannibal Holocaust (1980)

[SPOILER! SPOILER! SPOILER! SPOILER!]

[EXPLICIT CONTENT!]

[THE MOST BANNED FILM IN THE WORLD!]

This is one of the most controversial films ever made, and rightfully so. A very disturbing, yet very well put together 'mockumentary'. So well in fact that I am still unsure whether parts of the footage were acted or not. There is obvious animal murder; a very gruesome scene of a turtle being slain. And the scene where a female is skewered on a post also looked real, which is freaky. The only thing that convinced me that the penis being cut off and death of the film crew was staged is the fact that the actors are apparently still alive. The cast had to sign a contract saying they would disappear for a year after shooting to add to the films controversy, which was quickly remedied when the director, Ruggero Deodato, was arrested for murder weeks after its showing. Despite all the gruesome explicit scenes, the story and moral of this film are great. A unique contrast of city life to that of the jungle life. Complete with an original, enjoyable sound composition by Riz Ortolani.

CLICK HERE FOR OFFICIAL VERIFICATION OF WHAT WAS REAL AND FAKE

7/10

VERDICT: WATCH IF YOU CAN STOMACH IT

Hell Ride (2008)

Larry Bishops writing/directing felt like the pyrite version of Quentin Tarantino's golden style. The elements were all there, gore, seemingly badass characters with just as seemingly badass character intros, and the sixty\seventies sounding oldschool soundtrack (Because we all know Tarantino is all about the old school...). However, the elements were... lacking (other than the soundtrack). The weak plot may be the culprit. It felt like it was trying to be bigger and better than it actually is. There were some sexy scenes worth noting, but all in all, nothing too exciting in this picture.

5/10

VERDICT: SKIP IT

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

"Right now we are alive and in this moment I swear we are infinite."
I liked this movie, but with mixed feelings. There is a common symptom films set in high school (Chronicle, for example) suffer from that leaves them feeling so... unbelievable, for lack of a better word. Maybe it's the cliches or the overdeveloped characters with flaws that shouldn't be there. Regardless, the story is good and the characters were fun. I found it funny how Charlie gets high and suddenly 'wakes up'. A really likeable (likable?) group of actors. I haven't read the book, but it's cool to see an author make a movie about his own novel.

6.75/10

VERDICT: WORTH A WATCH!

500 Days Of Summer (2009)

So I've been unsure whether or not I wanted to include sub par movies in this blog, but after seeing that this is ranked 7.8 and in the top 500 at IMDB I had to write my thoughts. When Regina Spektor's 'Us' came on as the introduction song I immediately had higher hopes for what I initially had thought would be an ok flick. The film uses an interesting way of telling the story by jumping back and forth to random events throughout a 500 day long relationship of our two main characters. I had some laughs in the first thirty or forty minutes; the Disney shout out was hilarious. About two thirds in I realized how bored I had become. The characters were just off. It's easy to see that Summer and Tom are not right for each other, I get that this is the point of the story, but who really wants to watch that? This movie is just like any bad relationship, fun in the beginning, then drags to a boring end.

5/10

VERDICT: WATCH IF YOU DARE!

Chasing Amy (1997)

Kevin Smith delivers with his intelligently witty characters and regular group of actors again in this awesome love story. This film is overflowing with emotion. He really encompasses the time, given I was only 9, I feel this is an accurate portrayal of 1997. I love the technique of interlocked and intertwining stories and characters which Mr. Smith utilizes. There is a reference to Clerks, one of his earlier films. This has turned out to be more of a Kevin Smith review than Chasing Amy, but fuck it. If you've seen one of his films then you know what you can expect! If you haven't, do yourself a favor and appreciate some hilariously intelligent dialogue.

10/10

VERDICT: ADD IT TO YOUR COLLECTION!

Hurlyburly (1998)

"We are all just background in each others lives; cardboard cutouts." This movie not only gets caught up in the semantics, it evolves a symbiotic relationship with them. You are taken on a drug filled journey through the minds of some perfectly cast and exceptionally acted hedonists in this dark dramedy. Eddie, a man trying to find love in his detail absorbing life. Mickey, whom is carefree and lives in the moment. And Phil, who is looking for advice and insight into his own life. This movie is definitely worth a re-watch.

8/10

VERDICT: ADD IT TO YOU COLLECTION/QUEUE!

Wanderlust (2012)

"Do you live here?"

"I live where ever I am."

Two married business folk lose their jobs in New York and move back to Atlanta. They come across an 'intentional society'(hippy commune) on their way and suddenly see life in a new light... This film is packed full of honest truths about our current society and will make you want to just live simply and free; off of the land. It was a pretty funny film overall with some predictable plot twists. Thoroughly enjoyed!!

6.5/10

VERDICT: ADD IT TO YOUR QUEUE!

The Holy Mountain [Restored DVD](1973)

"Each stone has a soul, formed by the work of millions of years.." This is by far one of the strangest creations I have ever watched. A kebab of bizarre and beautiful scenes. I was in a state of utter confusion for the first thirty minutes, which never really faded away until the very end of the film. Jodorowsky relies on the power of imagery to portray a very psychedelic tale. From life, to egotistical self, awareness and destruction of self, awareness of everything outside of self, unity, and rebirth. Splattered with nudity and animal cruelty, this must be one of PETA's most hated films.

5/10

VERDICT: WAAaaaAAaaAaAATCHHHHHHH!

Django Unchained! (2012)

[SPOILER! SPOILER! SPOILER! SPOILER!]

"The D is silent, hillbilly..." Tarantino pulled off the mash up of past eras mixed with a contemporary style quite wonderfully. A perfect blend of advanced terminology/slang and personalities for the time. Dialogue heavy with gruesome action timed at the write points can sum up Tarantino's steeze of writing/directing and this one does not stray away from that. Some of the blaxploitation was shocking to see/hear, but Tarantino sprinkled just enough comedy to get away with it. DiCaprio(Calvin Candie) even makes a jab at the audience about how much racism they've used. Seeing Jonah Hill was interesting. It seemed to me like he wrote the entire scene with the bag heads arguing about their eye holes. Christoph Waltz(Dr. King Schultz) delivers another awesome performance. This movie earns its two hour and forty five minute time slot. Tarantino 'sticks to his guns'. Just when you think it's over, Dr. King jests, "sorry I couldn't resist." And the blood baths ensue. I look forward to the blu-ray release.

8/10

Sex And Breakfast (2007)

"After sex I get this... moment of clarity. It's like 5 minutes where I see the world from a peaceful place. I'm not anxious, I'm not angry.. I'm not horny. I just know what's important, and that's what's important. Do you ever get that?" This movie has received pretty bad reviews all across the board, but I think they did some things right. The chemistry between Alexis Dziena and Macaulay Culkin is wonderful. They portray a beautiful picture of trust and honesty. Silence between characters is used pretty heavily, but it's used with the right amount of body language. You can tell what each character is feeling from the awkward kisses and jealousy, all the way through the uncomfortable silences. If you look past it's weaknesses you might be able to find it enjoyable.

6/10

VERDICT: WORTH A WATCH!

Clerks (1994)

INTELLIGENT! WITTY! HILARIOUS! BRILLIANT!

This movie is a perfect example of the power of writing. It's very low budget and mainly takes place inside of a convenience store. Kevin Smith's characters in this film are all so strong, very reminiscent of Richard Linklater's style of writing. They are extremely intelligent and rational with each other as if they are obeying some supreme form of logic. They speak so open and free and most importantly with purpose and confidence. The message is simple, truth is the easiest and most efficient way of life. Don't lie to yourself, take full control of your freedom and believe in yourself. I recommend this movie especially to anyone interested in film making, and also to anyone who loves very articulate conversation.

9/10

VERDICT: ADD IT TO YOUR COLLECTION!

Freaks (1932)

RAW, POWERFULL, FRIGHTENING, ENTHRALLING, AMAZING! [MILD SPOILER ALERT!]

A film that was released at the right time for the wrong Age of people. Everybody will be able to relate to the characters in this film. One very unique dynamic is the fact that they have real 'freaks', if you will, playing themselves along with acting. The girls that are connected by the hips[Daisy and Violet Hilton(In no particular order ;))] share a nervous system; that is very interesting. When Violet(or was it Daisy?) kisses the shady looking magician(aka her fiancée) her other half reacts to the surge of euphoric chemicals released into their body. There is a man with no arms and no legs who lights up a match and lights his cigarette using only his head. These truly amazing people/characters are interesting enough to watch with no plot, but throw in a well written script and engaging story and you have a real unique film. One of a kind! There is an underlying theme of sex lust and love throughout the entire feature. You will love some characters AND hate some characters. So raw and daring.

10/10 (Only for being one of a kind, a film like this will never be made again.)

VERDICT- ADD IT TO YOUR QUEUE!